Star Musketeer Bismarck: A thorough evaluation of the appeal of the space adventure and the depth of the characters

"Star Musketeer Bismarck": A story of warriors who protect peace in space

■Overview of the work

"Star Musketeer Bismarck" is a TV anime series that aired on Nippon Television from October 7, 1984 to September 29, 1985. It consisted of 51 episodes and was broadcast every Sunday from 10:30 to 11:00. This work is the first original robot animation produced by Pierrot, and is characterized by its unique worldview that combines a science fiction worldview with special effects hero-style protective gear and Western-style gun action.

■ Story

In the 21st century, while the solar system space is experiencing remarkable development, the peace is suddenly broken by the invasion of the alien race Descura. The Solar System Federation Army waged a fierce space battle with Descura, but it was not strong enough to protect the entire solar system. So the Federal Government created the combat robot Bismarck to protect the border residents from Descura's attacks. Bismarck is piloted by four young people, Kishinji, Bill Wilcox, Richard Lancelot, and Marianne Leveille, and they fight against Descura. Although they each have different backgrounds and abilities, they join forces for a common purpose and fight to protect the peace of the universe.

■Explanation

"Star Musketeer Bismarck" is Pierrot's first original robot animation. Based on a science fiction world, it incorporates ideas such as special effects hero-style protective gear and western-style gun action, creating a unique world that is simple yet profound, and profound yet speedy. After the domestic broadcast ended, it was broadcast in America and Germany with some changes to the setting under the title "Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs". In Germany in particular, it has been rebroadcast many times, and Ramrod (Bismarck) has become synonymous with robots.

■Cast

• Teruyuki: Tsubasa Shioya
• Bill Wilcox: Kazuhiko Inoue
• Richard Lancelot: Bin Shimada
• Marian: Tomoe Kamiyo
• Secretary General of Le Vert: Hiroshi Ito
• Zatra: The Galaxy
• Huuser: Seizo Kato
• Pelios: Hirotaka Suzuoki

■ Main staff

• Produced by: Yuji Nunokawa
• Producers: Norio Hatsukawa (Nippon Television), Yuko Mitsumori (Pierrot)
• Planning: Nagayuki Toriumi
• General Director: Masami Anno
• Series Composition: Mitsuru Umashima
• Character design: Shigeru Kato
• Mechanical design: Yasuharu Moriki
• Art Director: Geki Katsumata
• Animation Director: Takahashi Susuke
• Director of photography: Takeshi Fukuda
• Edited by: Seiji Morita
• Production manager: Michiyuki Homma
• Music: Osamu Totsuka
• Sound Director: Shigeharu Shiba
• Sound effects: Akihiko Matsuda (Fizz Sound)
• Adjustment: Kunio Kuwahara
• Background: Studio Cosmos
• Animation: Sanko Productions
• Edited by: Morita Editorial Office
• Recording Production: Omnibus Promotion
• Recording studio: New Japan Studio
• Developed by Tokyo Developing Laboratory
• Produced by Pierrot
• Music Production: Nippon Television Music, King Records

■Theme song

Opening Theme

• "Mysterious CALL ME"
• Lyricist: Akira Otsu
• Composer: Saburo Suzuki
• Arrangement: Osamu Totsuka
• Sung by: MIO

Ending Theme

• "Dream Galaxy"
• Lyricist: Akira Otsu
• Composer: Saburo Suzuki
• Arrangement: Osamu Totsuka
• Sung by: MIO

■ Main Characters

• Ki Shinji: Japanese. 17-year-old astronaut trainee. A genius racer who drives space machines. He lost his father in a battle against Descura. He is a hot-blooded guy.
• Bill Wilcox: America's youngest jet pilot genius. He's also the best gunman on the Bismarck team. His only flaw is that he easily falls in love with girls.
• Richard Lancelot: A young elite of the British Royal Special Intelligence Service. He is calm and has an outstanding ability to analyze the internal structure of machines. He rides a space horse (a robot horse).
• Marianne Louver: Daughter of Dr. Charles Louver, the creator of the Bismarck, and France's youngest female scientist. She boards the Bismarck in place of her father.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: Space Adventurer
• Episode 2: Me, Him, and That Guy
• Episode 3: The Little Sheriff
• Episode 4: Shoot the Descura Spy!
• Episode 5: Clash!! Battle in the Wilderness
• Episode 6: The Secret of the Beautiful Girl Eris
• Episode 7: A Little Love Story
• Episode 8: The Mysterious Space Horse
• Episode 9: The Battle for Tomorrow
• Episode 10: The Demon General of Ganymede
• Episode 11: The Old Phoenix
• Episode 12: Starry Night Christmas Carol
• Episode 13: Shinigami Kid
• Episode 14: The Last Shooting
• Episode 15: The Silver Duel
• Episode 16: Chivalry Reborn
• Episode 17: Protect the village with your own hands
• Episode 18: The Saint from Hell
• Episode 19: Uncover the secret assassination plot
• Episode 20: A Dangerous Visitor
• Episode 21: The Scary Robot Show
• Episode 22: Explosion!! Death Race
• Episode 23: Captain Holiday
• Episode 24: Four-leaf clover
• Episode 25: Savage Attack! Blaster Pulse
• Episode 26: The Final Battle on Ganymede
• Episode 27: A New Determination ACT-1
• Episode 28: A New Determination ACT-2
• Episode 29: Reunion and Departure
• Episode 30: Fight! For Peace
• Episode 31: The Man from Andromeda
• Episode 32: Descura Hunter
• Episode 33: Beat the Ghost Squadron!
• Episode 34: Wish upon a rainbow!
• Episode 35: Female Warrior Cilka
• Episode 36: The Juno Rescue Mission
• Episode 37: 50% Bet
• Episode 38: Naughty Wars!
• Episode 39: When the True Feelings Come True
• Episode 40: The Devil's Leto Star Field
• Episode 41: Dinosaur Planet
• Episode 42: The Great Fortress Approaches!
• Episode 43: The Secret of Descura
• Episode 44: The Myth of the Stars
• Episode 45: Recapture! Dr. Leveille
• Episode 46: Bismarck Dismantled!
• Episode 47: The Return of the Warriors
• Episode 48: Hyper Photon Cannon Fires!
• Episode 49: Defeat Herperides!
• Episode 50: Escape from Herperides
• Episode 51: Dream Galaxy

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Star Musketeer Bismarck" has won many fans with its unique worldview and the charm of its characters. In particular, the story, which combines a science fiction worldview with elements of Western dramas, gave viewers a fresh surprise. In addition, each character's personality stands out, and each has their own unique charm, such as Kishinji's passion, Bill Wilcox's gun skills, Richard Lancelot's calmness, and Marianne Leveille's knowledge and courage. The sight of these characters working together to fight Descura moved viewers.

The design of the combat robot Bismarck is also superb, and the talent of mecha designer Yasutoshi Moriki shines through. Bismarck's battle scenes are powerful and have the power to draw the viewer in. The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the background music by Osamu Totsuka and the theme songs "Fushigi CALL ME" and "Yume Ginga" sung by MIO being important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the work.

This work was highly praised not only in Japan but also overseas. In particular, in Germany, it was broadcast as "Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs" and gained such popularity that it was rebroadcast many times. This is proof that the universal theme and attractive characters of the work have been accepted by many people across borders.

■ Recommendation points

"Star Gunfighter Bismarck" is a work that has a unique worldview that combines elements of science fiction and westerns, attractive characters, powerful battle scenes, and a moving story. In particular, the following points are recommended points.

• Unique worldview : The worldview that combines elements of science fiction and western movies gives viewers a fresh surprise. The battle to protect peace in the universe is combined with the gun action of western movies, giving it a unique appeal.
• Attractive characters : Each character, including Kishinji, Bill Wilcox, Richard Lancelot, and Marianne Leveille, has a distinctive personality and a different charm. Their cooperation and growth will move the audience.
• Powerful battle scenes : Bismarck's battle scenes showcase the talents of mecha designer Yasushi Moriki and have the power to draw the viewer in. In particular, the battle with Descura is full of tension and thrills.
• A moving story : The fight to protect peace in the universe, the growth and cooperation of the characters, and the touching ending will deeply move the viewers. In particular, the final episode, "Dream Galaxy," is a touching episode that symbolizes the theme of the work.
• Musical appeal : The background music by Osamu Totsuka and the theme songs "Fushigi Call Me" and "Yume Ginga" sung by MIO are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. The theme songs in particular have beautiful melodies that symbolize the theme of the work.

■Comparison with related works

"Musketeers Bismarck" stands out in comparison to other robot anime with its unique world view and the appeal of its characters. For example, robot anime such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Mazinger Z" are characterized by their sci-fi world view and powerful battle scenes, but "Musketeers Bismarck" also incorporates elements of western movies, making it even more appealing. It can also be said to be superior to other robot anime in the way it depicts the individuality and growth of its characters.

Furthermore, Musketeer Bismarck stands out from other robot anime in that it has received high praise overseas. Its popularity in Germany in particular is proof that the work's universal themes and appealing characters have been accepted by many people across borders. For these reasons, Musketeer Bismarck is a work that deserves to receive extremely high praise, even when compared to other robot anime.

Conclusion

"Musketeers Bismarck" is a work that has a unique worldview that combines elements of science fiction and westerns, attractive characters, powerful battle scenes, and a moving story. In particular, the individuality and growth of characters such as Kishinji, Bill Wilcox, Richard Lancelot, and Marianne Leveille deeply move the viewer. In addition, the talent of mecha designer Yasushi Moriki shines in the battle scenes of Bismarck, and they have the power to draw the viewer in. In addition, the background music by Osamu Totsuka and the theme songs "Fushigi CALL ME" and "Yume Ginga" sung by MIO are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the work. From these points, it can be said that "Musketeers Bismarck" is a work that deserves to be highly praised, even compared to other robot anime. Please watch this work and experience its charm for yourself.